The governing body for ice skating in the UK is celebrating a year of success, both on and off the ice.

The National Ice Skating Association (NISA) has announced a surplus of more than £40,000 for 2010/2011 financial year, a £2000 increase from the previous financial year, to round off a 12 month period of growth and development within the sport.

As well as the positive financial result, the governing body has so far enjoyed a successful 2011/12 skating season which has seen NISA bring both the sell-out European Figure Skating and the World Short Track Speed Skating championships to Sheffield, and the GB skaters scoop almost 20 international medals from tournaments across the globe.

There was also a 30 per cent increase in members of the organisation’s Learn to Skate (Skate UK) programme which is focused on growing the popularity of the sport amongst youngsters. More than 70,000 people now complete Skate UK courses every year. Alongside this, NISA membership figures increased from 5,000 to 6,300 in the last 18 months.

Robin Cousins, vice president of NISA, said: “Ice Skating in the UK has continuously developed over the last 10 years, driven by a forward thinking governing body paying dividends with NISA enjoying success in the rink and in terms of overall development.”

NISA places a focus on continuing to improve and develop good governing practises and this year took two significant steps to support this ethos.

Firstly, the governing body signed up to a voluntary code of conduct – the Sport and Recreation Alliance code - designed to help sporting and recreational bodies aspire to, and maintain, strong and efficient governance.

After a rigorous assessment, NISA’s chief executive Keith Horton was invited to be a part of UK Sport’s International Leadership Programme, joining thirteen other National Governing Body leaders on the high-flying leadership programme.

At every level, from backroom administration staff to coaches and officials, NISA has a world-class team. This has been highlighted with a number of promotions this year, including some of the NISA team reaching International Judging and Technical Specialist levels. This success at International level highlights the quality and talent of NISA officials now being produced through the system.

The success of GB skating was proven last year with NISA being awarded a £2.8m investment from UK Sport. The GB short track team, which has seen vast improvements in performance over the last four years, received an increase in investment from £964,000 to £2,785,100 over four years until 2014.

Sinead and John Kerr, seven-times British Ice Dance Champions and two-times Olympians who are now retired from skating but are still active NISA members, said: “It is fantastic that NISA has had such a successful 12 months. It is absolutely vital for every sport to have a strong governing body and when you consider what NISA has achieved over the last year, it is clear to see that ice skating has that.

“NISA creates opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get into ice skating and supports its members throughout their skating career leading to success on the ice in the UK and at competitions abroad. As NISA members, it is great to know that our governing body is committed to getting the best out of the sport.”

Keith Horton, chief executive of NISA, said: “NISA is now in a strong financial position and this, combined with the good governance and management structure, means we are now in well placed to be able to carefully begin to invest some of the surplus finance into the further development of ice skating.

“As always, any expenditure will be thoroughly considered and carefully managed to ensure NISA continues to provide a quality service to all sections of British Skating.”